Hillingdon's HAF programme helps families meet the cost of school holidays
Thursday 23 March 2023: Hillingdon Council's Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is returning on Monday 3 April to provide a range of free fun activities, food and refreshments to eligible children and young people during the Easter school holidays.
Sessions take place at different venues around the borough and are free to families receiving benefits-related free school meals and who will automatically receive an email with a unique access code which they will be able to use to book sessions via the council's website.
More than 1,000 children and young people took part in the HAF winter programme 2022, which ran during the Christmas holidays and offered sports, arts, and personal development courses across 25 locations in Hillingdon, including leisure centres, schools, community centres, and the Brunel University London campus.
The programme also provided a range of camps and activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
In addition to the free activities, 250 at home cookery packs were also provided during the winter programme, each containing enough ingredients for a family of four to have a range of balanced meals for five days, along with recipes and meal planners. HAF families could also visit a free training kitchen during the holiday for cooking and nutrition tips and more easy-to-make recipes for healthy, well-balanced weekly menus.
Cllr Susan O'Brien, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education said: "HAF is making a real difference to families in Hillingdon as part of a range of cost-of-living support services. It is providing children and young people with an opportunity to develop new skills, socialise and keep active during the school holidays. It is also giving parents and carers peace of mind knowing that their children are being well looked after and well fed while they are out of school.
"We're pleased that our winter programme was so well attended and the feedback from both parents and children was very positive. Easter promises to be even more popular as the weather warms up and there are more outdoor activities on the programme.
"I would urge all eligible residents to visit the HAF webpages with their child to see what's on offer that they might like to try out. And of course, look out for the email from the HAF team and use your unique passcode to book one or more sessions."
More information on the HAF Easter 2023 programme, including eligibility and how to book, is available at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/HAF.